In collaboration with self-proclaimed “responsibili-geeks” Thread, Timberland has released a range of footwear constructed with fabrics that are made of recycled plastic bottles found in the streets and landfills of Haiti. According to Timberland, the fabric “not only contributes to a cleaner planet, but also creates thousands of jobs in developing nations.”

Thread founder and CEO Ian Rosenberger came up with the idea for the startup after visiting Haiti in the wake of a devastating 2010 hurricane. “In addition to falling in love with the country, the two things I saw the most were the same thing I saw in every low-income country I’ve ever traveled to; a lot of poverty, and a lot of trash,” Rosenberger said. “I literally wrote in my journal at the beginning of this process that if Haiti could turn trash into money, that equals good. It was that simple.”

The resulting collaboration includes four different Timberland models in various colorways including the City Blazer Mixed-Media Boots, the Newport Bay Canvas Hiker Chukka, the Newport Bay 6-Inch Canvas Boots, and the Newport Bay Canvas Chukka Shoes. In addition to the shoes, the collection also includes bags and apparel.

“When you touch this material, you know it’s a premium canvas,” says Margaret Morey-Reuner, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Timberland. “The boots and bags are soft, yet durable. They sit proudly and beautifully.”

Prices for the footwear range from $75 to $160, and the collection is available now from timberland.com.